Citation

Albicini M, McKinlay A. J. Head Trauma Rehabil. 2018; 33(3): 191-199.

Affiliation

School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, and School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Ms Albicini); and Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Dr McKinlay).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/HTR.0000000000000312

PMID

28520662

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To explore long-term psychiatric outcomes in individuals with a history of childhood traumatic brain injury (TBI) or orthopedic injury (OI). SETTING: Hospital emergency department, medical admission records and outpatient settings. PARTICIPANTS: There were 95 males (M = 22.78 years, SD = 3.44 years) and 74 females (M = 22.27 years, SD = 3.09 years), 65 with mild TBI (M = 23.25 years, SD = 3.58 years), 61 with moderate-severe TBI (M = 22.34 years, SD = 2.79 years), and 43 with OI (M = 21.81 years, SD = 3.36 years).

DESIGN: Longitudinal, between-subjects, cross-sectional design using retrospective and current data. MAIN MEASURES: Semistructured interview to obtain psychiatric diagnoses and background information, and medical records for identification of TBI.

RESULTS: Group with moderate-severe TBI presented with significantly higher rates of any anxiety disorder (χ2 = 6.81, P =.03) and comorbid anxiety disorder (χ2 = 6.12, P <.05). Group with overall TBI presented with significantly higher rates of any anxiety disorder (χ1 = 5.36, P =.02), panic attacks (χ1 = 4.43, P =.04), specific phobias (χ1 = 4.17, P =.04), and depression (χ1 = 3.98, P <.05). Prediction analysis revealed a statistically significant model (χ7 = 41.84, P <.001) explaining 23% to 37% of the variance in having any anxiety disorder, with significant predictors being group (TBI) and gender (female).

CONCLUSIONS: Children who have sustained a TBI may be vulnerable to persistent anxiety, panic attacks, specific phobias, and depression, even 13 years after the injury event.

Language: en